Throwback Thursday

Every Thursday we pull a photo from our archives and share it with one of our ABT dancers. You never know what stories may come from a single snapshot!

Eric Tamm
ABT Corps de Ballet
Joined ABT 2007, Rejoined ABT 2020

“In January 2004, I took the very first technique class offered by the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company Associate Program. Not many recognize this name but this small class of nine dancers would slowly evolve into what is now the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. This was not your average first day of school. Arriving in the studio for class, with an outfit I probably planned out the night before out of extreme anticipation, I realized I didn’t know anyone in the room and our first teacher was Ethan Stiefel, a Principal Dancer with the Company and someone I greatly looked up to. Of course, I had the usual nervousness and doubts. Am I good enough to be here? Will people like me? But there was also lots of exciting energy circulating around that only a first day to a new program can bring.

Looking back on it, I had nothing to worry about and the ABT Studio Company Associate Program greatly improved the trajectory of my dance career. I could not imagine my life venturing down another path. The program ended up growing up to be so much more than the nine dancers who started it, and it makes me smile to think that I had a part in the very beginning of a school that continues to inspire and offer a high level of dance education… just with a new and improved name.”

View More Photos of Eric!

Writing Prompt

Write about a memorable first day (of school, camp, sports team, etc.).

Funtime Friday

Make Your Own Instrument: Drum!